lancastria.net

BLACKBURN Rovers threw away a two goal lead at Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon as they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Rovers had raced into an early two-goal lead in an eventful first half that also saw Sheffield Wednesday pull a goal back and El-Hadji Diouf miss a penalty.

The second half became a damp squib though with neither side producing the football that was seen before the break.

Ryan Nelsen :

Half time substitute Morten Gamst Pedersen swung a fierce inswinging free kick against the cross bar on 50 minutes but nine minutes later, Wednesday were deservedly level.

Michael Gray’s right wing corner dropped into the six yard box and Marcus Tudgay was on hand to volley home from close range with a rare moment of excitement in a dull second half.

Substitute Etienne Esajas almost stole a winner with 10 minutes to go, forcing Robinson into a diving save to his left after a low 30-yard drive, and the Rovers keeper produced a double save from Easjas and Francis Jeffers late on to keep it level.

Jason Roberts :

Rovers took the lead as early as the sixth minute when goalkeeper Lee Grant fumbled El-Hadji Diouf’s corner under the challenge of Steven Nzonzi and skipper Ryan Nelsen was on hand to prod home from close range.

Their lead was doubled on 21 minutes though through a powerful solo effort from Roberts. The striker was sent down the right by Diouf’s through ball, he cut inside, then outside, before hitting a shot into the top corner.

Wednesday halved the defecit two minutes later though when Sodje slotted past Robinson after being sent clear by Jermaine Johnson’s through ball – not the first time the hosts had got in behind Rovers defence.

Rovers’ two-goal lead should have been restored a minute later though after Richard Wood was penalised for a foul on Nzonzi in the area. Diouf’s tame penalty was saved by Grant though and the rebound was scrambled clear.

ROVERS: Paul Robinson, Lars Jacobsen, Gael Givet (Morten Gamst Pedersen 46), Steven Nzonzi (Alan Judge 85), Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen (Zurab Khizanishvili 88), Jason Roberts (Elrio Van Heerden 85), Keith Andrews, Benni McCarthy (Paul Gallagher 46), El-Hadji Diouf (David Hoilett 71), Stephen Warnock (Martin Olsson 87)

SUBS: Jason Brown, Aaron Doran,

WEDNESDAY: Lee Grant, Tommy Spurr, Lewis Buxton, Darren Purse, Marcus Tudgay, Seam McAllister, Leon Clarke (Akpo Sodje 9) (Luke Boden 67), Richard Wood, James O’Connor, Jermaine Johnson (Etienne Esajas 46), Michael Gray (Francis Jeffers 65)

SUBS: Mark Beevers, Frank Simek, Richard O’Donnell.